Agriculture: Common Agricultural Policy

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the recent agreement on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy on (1) United Kingdom farmers’ incomes, and (2) the countryside environment.

Lord De Mauley: The impact on the environment and farmers has been in the forefront of ministers’ minds as the CAP has been negotiated.
	There are still some key stages left to go in the EU negotiations, but June marked a major milestone in the main EU negotiations on CAP reform. We now have the clarity we need to focus on implementation and begin discussions on the shape of the next CAP reform programme with all interested parties.
	Officials will, where appropriate, be developing impact assessments during the implementation of the CAP package in England.

Agriculture: Non-genetically Modified Crops

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Ministers from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills or the Department for International Development have visited Sárvári Research Trust to see non-genetically-modified blight-resistant potatoes developed there.

Lord De Mauley: The current Ministers for Defra, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for International Development have not been to visit Sarvari Research Trust to see non-genetically-modified blight-resistant potatoes developed there.
	However, Ministers have seen other examples of conventional breeding, for example, of wheat at NIAB, which have significant benefits. Ministers believe that the industry should have access to the full range of available technology and expertise while ensuring that safeguards are in place to protect human health and the environment.

Agriculture: Pesticides

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the paper Glyphosate induces human breast cancer cells growth via estrogen receptors by Thongprakaisang S et al, Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 59, pages 129-36, and its findings about the estrogenic effects of low and environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate; and whether they intend to fund further research in that field.

Lord De Mauley: The paper referred to reports responses in cells derived from cancerous human breast tissue. It is difficult to extrapolate with any reliability from such in vitro systems to actual human exposures to glyphosate. The study authors suggest that the findings should be investigated further in animal studies. We will review the findings of any such further work and then consider appropriate action. Furthermore glyphosate is currently being reviewed by Germany on behalf of the EU. This assessment will include relevant studies published since it was last approved in 2002 and will be peer reviewed under the auspices of the European Food Safety Authority. Further research requirements for industry may result from that review.

Agriculture: Research and Development

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage United Kingdom research and development on (1) marker-assisted selection, (2) agro-ecology, (3) organic farming, and (4) non-genetically-modified agricultural biotechnology.

Lord De Mauley: We published an agri-tech strategy on 22nd July 2013. It supports research and development (R&D) across the wider agri-tech agenda. Marker-assisted selection, agro-ecology, organic farming, and non-genetically-modified agricultural biotechnology fall within the wider scope of agri-tech. This Strategy will be implemented through engagement with and co-investment from industry, who will be involved in determining R&D priorities.

Apprenticeships

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (1) apprentices, and (2) interns have been, and are, currently employed by the offices of (a) the Leader of the House of Lords, and (b) the Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords, in each of the last five years; and of that number, how many subsequently became full-time members of staff.

Lord Hill of Oareford: The offices of the Leader of the House of Lords, and the Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords are part of the Cabinet Office.
	(1) Apprentices—As at 10 July 2013, there are eighteen apprentices employed across the Cabinet Office, including 2 currently employed within the offices of the Leader and Government Chief Whip in the Lords. The number of apprentices taken on in preceding years is as follows:
	
		
			  2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 to date 
			 Number of apprentices hired 8 6 12 11 4 
			 Number of former apprentices now on permanent contracts 0 0 4 1 4 
		
	
	(2) Interns—Information on interns employed by Cabinet Office can only be obtained at disproportionate cost, but no interns are currently employed within the offices of the Leader and Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords.
	The Government launched its Fast Track Apprenticeships Scheme on 15 April 2013, as part of its wider programme of Civil Service Reform. The scheme is designed to support 18-to-21-year-olds who have chosen not to go to university, but who have the skills and potential to support the Civil Service in delivering exceptional public services. A range of government departments are taking part in the pilot of the scheme, with 100 places initially being made available. In due course, the scheme will grow to 500 places to match the existing Graduate Fast Stream programme.

Asylum Seekers

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum seekers were deemed by healthcare professionals to be unfit for detention in each of the last ten years, and of that number, how many were subsequently released as a result of such findings.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: This question has been interpreted as relating to Rule 35 (1) of the Detention Centre Rules 2001, which sets out requirements for doctors at immigration removal centres to report on any detained person whose health is likely to be injuriously affected by continued detention or any conditions of detention.
	Management information for the administration of reports submitted under Rule 35 (1) is only available from one January 2012. This information does not form part of published statistics and is not subject to the detailed checks that apply to National Statistics publications. As such, it is provisional and subject to change.
	Records prior to this period were locally held manual records for administrative purposes and are not available without incurring disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Q1 2012 Q2 2012 Q3 2012 Q4 2012 Grand Total 
			 Number of Rule 35 (1) reports 34 31 9 24 98 
			 Number of detainees Rule 35(1) reports relate to 31 29 7 22 89 
			 of which:-  
			 Detainees released following Rule 35(1) report 1 2 - 1 4 
		
	
	Decisions to release individuals are taken on a case by case basis, taking into consideration the totality of the information related to the cases concerned. This will include reports under Rule 35(1) submitted by healthcare professionals working in Immigration Removal Centres.

Child Trafficking

Baroness Doocey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many times between 2011 and present the inter-departmental ministerial working group on human trafficking has discussed child trafficking; and what was the outcome of those discussions.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Inter-Departmental Ministerial Group (IDMG) is responsible for the assessment and co-ordination of the UK's response to human trafficking.
	The IDMG routinely discusses all aspects of human trafficking, including child trafficking as part of its responsibility to gather statistics, monitor trends and ensure the delivery of the Government’s human trafficking strategy.
	Minutes of IDMG meetings are available on the .gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/inter-departmental-ministerial-group-on-human-trafficking-minutes.

Cyclists: Deaths and Injuries

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will commission research to assess how police, prosecutors and the courts respond to alleged cases of bad driving where cyclists are killed and seriously injured.

Earl Attlee: The Government is aware of the concerns raised by some cyclist groups about this issue. We have had several discussions with stakeholders and we will be looking more closely at the data.

Disabled People

Lord Low of Dalston: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the additional number of (1) working age disabled people, and (2) older people, who will be eligible for care under the recently published draft regulations on the national eligibility criteria for social care.
	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the total number of (1) working age disabled people, and (2) older people, who will be eligible for care under the recently published draft regulations on the national eligibility criteria for social care.

Earl Howe: On 28 June, the Government published draft regulations which set out the national minimum eligibility threshold. The threshold is set at a level similar to the level at which the majority of local authorities already set their local eligibility criteria. Local authorities will remain able to meet lower needs locally, if they choose to do so.
	At the Spending Round, we announced that we are making available enough funding to allow local authorities to maintain the same level of access to services for service users when they move from the current framework to the new care and support system in April 2015. This will include funding for the national minimum eligibility threshold.
	We will engage with stakeholders over the coming months to test the draft regulations and determine their impact. This will inform the impact assessment which will be published alongside the regulations when we formally consult on them in spring 2014.

Driving: Insurance

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact on the numbers of uninsured drivers of removing the mandatory annual check on insurance at the point of licensing a car.

Earl Attlee: While the Impact Assessment has shown that there is a possibility that short term insurance evasion could rise if customers choose to delay getting insurance if it is not needed in order to license the vehicle, the potential impact is believed to be small because of the combined deterrent of Continuous Insurance Enforcement and on-road enforcement.
	Since the introduction of Continuous Insurance Enforcement in June 2011, the number of uninsured vehicles has fallen by more than 30%.
	In addition, the government has recently announced that Fixed Penalty Notices for driving without 3rd party insurance will increase from £200 to £300. The change is expected to come into force in summer 2013.

Equality Act 2010

Baroness Whitaker: To ask Her Majesty’s Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 5 June (WA 196-7), whether the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s separate technical guidance for England and Scotland providing a formal, authoritative and comprehensive interpretation of the Public Sector Equality duty and education sections of the Equality Act 2010 has been published; and, if so, whether they will place the guidance in the Library of the House.

Baroness Stowell of Beeston: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has now produced two versions of the technical guidance—one covering England, the other Scotland—both of which were published on Friday 28 June 2013. EHRC guidance on the public sector equality duty for schools has been available since its publication last year. I will arrange for copies to be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses shortly.

Flooding

Baroness Byford: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will next publish a review of progress on the implementation of the 15 urgent recommendations from the Pitt review of the 2007 floods.

Lord De Mauley: Defra does not intend to provide any further updates on progress in implementing the 15 urgent recommendations from the Pitt Review.
	The 15 urgent recommendations were incorporated into Sir Michael Pitt’s final report on his review of the 2007 floods, published in June 2008. Defra published a final progress review in January 2012 setting out details of the implementation of each of the recommendations in Sir Michael's report.

Health: Diabetes

Lord Morris of Aberavon: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the reduction in applications to charities for grants for research into type 1 diabetes, whether they will conduct an investigation into the options for carrying out additional research into that condition either by the Government or by other organisations.
	To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of research into type 1 diabetes in the United Kingdom.

Earl Howe: The Department has made no specific assessment of the adequacy of research into type 1 diabetes in the United Kingdom and has no plans to investigate options for increasing the volume of research on this condition.
	The Department’s National Institute for Health Research welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including type 1 diabetes. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and the National Health Service, value for money and scientific quality.
	The UK Clinical Research Network Portfolio Database currently has 238 studies in diabetes that are in set-up or recruiting patients. The breakdown is as follows:
	
		
			 Type Number of Studies 
			 1 43 
			 2 99 
			 1&2 72 
			 Other diabetes-related 24

Health: Diabetes

Baroness Uddin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to address the incidence of diabetes in the United Kingdom amongst families of south Asian origin.

Earl Howe: The objectives in the Government’s mandate to NHS England focus on those areas identified as being of greatest importance to people. They include transforming how well the National Health Service performs by preventing ill health from conditions such as diabetes.
	The Cardiovascular Disease Outcome Strategy, published in March 2013, reiterates our commitment to the NHS Health Check programme, which could prevent 4,000 people a year from developing diabetes. NHS England will be working with Public Health England (PHE) to make the NHS Health Check programme as effective as possible, helping to reduce people's risk of developing diabetes through advice on lifestyle factors and the earlier diagnosis of diabetes. There is scope for local flexibility and innovation, so local authorities (LAs) can best meet the needs of their populations.
	The Department, through PHE, has also provided ring-fenced funding for the first time to LAs to tackle problems such as obesity which can cause diabetes. Alongside this, we are working with businesses in the food and drink industry through the Public Health Responsibility Deal to help people make healthier choices.
	Addressing the incidence of diabetes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved administrations of those countries.

Immigration

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether foreign domestic workers subject to the single employer visa who approach the police or Employment Tribunal because of maltreatment are detained as immigration offenders.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: A foreign domestic worker subject to the single employer visa does not become an immigration offender or subject to detention by making an allegation of mistreatment. If the foreign domestic worker is no longer employed, their leave may be curtailed under paragraph 323(ii) of the Immigration Rules as they no longer meet the requirements of the rules under which leave was granted. Curtailment in these circumstances is discretionary and each case is considered on its merits. If the worker's leave is curtailed, it will be reduced to expire after 60 days in order to give them time to depart or apply for further leave. The worker has valid leave during the 60 day period and there would be no grounds to detain them unless they remained in the UK beyond this period without making an application to vary their leave.

NHS Property Services Ltd

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to protect general practitioner practices and other NHS tenants from substantial rent increases in properties that have been transferred to NHS Property Services Ltd.

Earl Howe: For 2013-14 there has been an agreement that occupiers’ rents are not to increase (unless the terms of their occupancy agreements expressly provide for this). However, in many cases, the current charges for occupancy do not reflect the full costs of providing the accommodation, and in some cases the charges are minimal, or there are no charges.
	During this first year, NHS Property Services Ltd (NHS PS) will seek to establish where occupants are not paying the full costs for their occupancy and the value of the under-recovery. Once under-recoveries have been properly quantified, the company will then work closely with commissioners to determine an appropriate timescale for moving from charging the commissioner for this under-recovery to charging the appropriate occupant, so that the commissioner can ensure the necessary transfer of resources to reflect this change.
	More information on NHS PS’s billing process and funding flows is contained in a ‘frequently asked questions’ document which was published on the NHS England Website on 06 June 2013. This accompanies a letter from the Department to NHS England and clinical
	commissioning groups which was published on the gov.uk website at the same time. A copy of both documents has been placed in the Library.

NHS Property Services Ltd

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many staff are currently employed by NHS Property Services in each region; what proportion of those staff were previously employed by NHS Primary Care Trusts before the transfer of assets to NHS Property Services Limited; and whether the terms of employment for these staff are the same.

Earl Howe: Staff who joined NHS Property Services Ltd (NHS PS) under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) have retained the same terms and conditions that applied under their previous National Health Service employer, in accordance with their legal entitlement.
	NHS PS has been able to produce the following analysis of employees as at 15 July 2013 who have retained protected employment terms from previous NHS organisations. This includes former primary care trusts, strategic health authorities and other NHS organisations contrasted with those employed on new company terms and conditions. The organisation is still working through its data-cleansing work for data inherited from former NHS employers.
	
		
			 Region NHS Protected Terms Property Services Terms Grand Total 
			  Headcount % of Workforce Headcount % of Workforce  
			 National Directorate 26 74.3% 9 25.7% 35 
			 London Region 474 97.9% 10 2.1% 484 
			 Midlands & East Region 698 97.9% 15 2.1% 713 
			 North Region 1,277 98.7% 17 1.3% 1,294 
			 South Region 644 98.2% 12 1.8% 656 
			 Grand Total 3,119 98.0% 63 2.0% 3,182

NHS: Fracture Liaison Services

Baroness Quin: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking any measures to increase the number of fracture liaison services in the National Health Service in England.

Earl Howe: Responsibility for determining the overall national approach to improving clinical outcomes from healthcare services, including fracture liaison services (FLS), lies with NHS England.
	NHS England is aware that the provision of FLS is not uniform across the country and is working with clinical commissioning groups to support them to develop appropriate local services. It will be for the
	National Clinical Director for Major Trauma, Chris Moran, working with the National Osteoporosis Society, to consider how to further promote best practice and treatment.

Pensions

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many members of the civil service pension scheme have, in each of the last five years, had their prospective pensions or actual pension in payment reduced or withdrawn because of conviction for a criminal offence or for bringing the civil service into disrepute; what are their powers in those circumstances; whether there are protocols for automatically referring the matter of convicted civil servants to the scheme and for the particular circumstances for consideration of forfeiture and other penalty levels; and if not, whether they will be introduced.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire: The number of forfeiture cases agreed in each of the years in question is five or fewer. It is not normal practice to disclose exact numbers in such cases due to the risk of identifying the individual involved. Forfeiture of pensions, in whole or in part, may be considered following a conviction of a pension scheme member in connection with their employment. Under the statutory Civil Service pension scheme rules, a Minister must certify that the individual’s offence brought the Civil Service into disrepute. Once the Minister has issued a forfeiture certificate, Cabinet Office officials then decide the extent to which the individuals pension benefits should be withheld. Published guidance advises employing departments to consult with the Cabinet Office at an early stage when criminal proceedings are pending in relation to such offences.

Questions for Written Answer

Lord West of Spithead: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Lord Wallace of Saltaire on 9 July (HL Deb, col 153), whether they will now answer the questions asked by Lord West of Spithead on that day; and, if not, why not.

Lord Astor of Hever: Noting the Trident Alternatives Review was published on 16 July 2013, I refer the noble Lord to the answers given by my right hon. Friend, the Defence Secretary (Philip Hammond), in the other place on 17 June 2013, (Official Report, column 617) to the hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Kevan Jones) and (Official Report, column 618) to the hon. Member for New Forest East (Dr Julian Lewis).

Railways: Intercity Express Trains

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what impact they forecast the introduction of Intercity Express trains on the London to Edinburgh line will have on (1) journey times, and (2) the market share of train travel on that route.

Earl Attlee: The new class 800 series fleet will allow the operator to reduce the standard London – Edinburgh journey time by 18mins. The East Coast elements of the Intercity Express Programme are predicted to lead to an increase in market share, and an increase in national rail revenue of around £1.1bn (NPV, discounted to 2010, 2010 prices) over the lifetime of the trains.

Railways: Station Facilities

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the progress made by Network Rail in constructing new passenger facilities at Templecombe Station, Somerset.

Earl Attlee: Work is due to start on site in around 10 weeks and will take approximately 8 weeks to complete.
	The South Western Railway Alliance project includes a £150,000 contribution from the Department for Transport’s Access for All Small Schemes Fund for an accessible toilet and low height ticket counter.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: Training

Baroness Thomas of Winchester: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what training is available for small and medium-sized enterprises which wish to upskill their workforce to help employees with learning disabilities.

Baroness Garden of Frognal: The Government is putting business in the driving seat in deciding the training and delivery it needs to improve the skills of its workforce. Apprenticeships, Advanced Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships are an important part of the work-based route to enable employees to progress to higher level skills. As part of the Government’s Apprenticeships offer to employers, young people up to the age of 24, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, (learners with learning difficulties and disabilities, or LLDD), will have their Apprenticeship training fully funded. At the same time, additional learning support is provided to colleges and providers to meet the extra needs of learners with LLDD, participating in Apprenticeships and other learning programmes.
	The Government is determined to make Apprenticeships more accessible both to people with LLDD and also to small and medium-sized enterprises. We have introduced financial incentives and simpler arrangements for small businesses recruiting apprentices whilst an action plan to create a better offer for people with LLDT is being implemented. Details can he accessed on the National Apprenticeships Service website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk. Evidence shows that the right support. people with disabilities, including moderate and severe learning difficulties can work, do an excellent job and progress in their careers.

Transport: Disabled Badge Holders

The Countess of Mar: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any provision is made for disabled badge holders (1) from the European Union, and (2) from non-European Union countries, to enable them to park in disabled spaces in the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether they have studied the impact on tourism of enabling disabled visitors to the United Kingdom to enjoy similar provision to United Kingdom residents.

Earl Attlee: The UK has informal reciprocal agreements in place with other European Union Governments to accept Blue Badges from Member States. Local authorities may, at their own discretion, also accept badges from non-EU countries. There has been no study of the impact on tourism.

Vehicles: Semi-trailers

Lord Greaves: To ask Her Majesty’s Government following plans to double the number of 15.65 metre trailers taking part in their trial of longer semi-trailers on UK roads, whether they intend to require the fitting of cycle safety equipment on any additional trailers taking part in that trial, and to monitor any difference made to cyclists’ safety.

Earl Attlee: The Government recently consulted on a proposal to review the current allocations system for the Longer Semi-Trailer trial. The proposal is to retain the current quota of 1800 longer semi-trailers, which might result in changes to the distribution of the numbers of longer semi-trailers between the 14.6m and 15.65m types.
	The Government is carefully monitoring all aspects of the trial, especially safety for all road users, including cyclists. We do not require the fitting of any cycle safety or other safety equipment to longer semi-trailers in the trial, beyond the usual legal requirements for all Heavy Goods Vehicles, to enable a full comparison with existing vehicles.

Vietnam

Baroness Doocey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the report on the visit to Vietnam by the office of the UK Border Agency's Children’s Champion will be available; and whether they intend to take action in relation to child trafficking from Vietnam following that report.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The Home Office, together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, undertook a fact finding mission to Vietnam in May 2012 to establish whether reception arrangements, with appropriate safeguards, could be developed to facilitate a sustainable returns process consistent with our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The findings informed policy development and will not be released. The work to establish a safe and sustainable means of returning suitable young people is continuing.

Visas

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government , further to the Written Answer by Lord Taylor of Holbeach on 3 June (WA 154), what are the processes involved and the particular reasons for quality-assuring the data that can be extrapolated as to which employers sponsor how many tier 2 and 5 migrants every year, and for publishing the figures; and whether the same issues apply to visas issued on behalf of educational establishments sponsoring student migrants.

Lord Taylor of Holbeach: The sponsorship management system holds a record of the number of workers sponsored by each tier two and five sponsor. The Home Office can use automated system-matching to extract this data.
	The Home Office quality assures data extracted from the sponsor management system to ensure its accuracy and suitability for disclosure; this may include cross-referencing with other data sources or manual verification.
	The same process applies for quality assuring data on the number of students sponsored by each tier four provider.
	The Home Office has no plans to publish data for each registered sponsor.
	The Home Office publishes information about the sponsorship register and the numbers of sponsored applications for visas and for extensions, within the
	quarterly Immigration Statistics (tables cs.01 to cs.05). A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics January-March 2013 is available from the Home Office science, research and statistics webpage at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-statistics-january-to-march-2013
	and is available from the Library of the House.

Young Offenders: Alternative Clothing

Baroness Stern: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children detained in (1) young offender institutions, (2) secure training centres, and (3) secure children's homes, have worn alternative clothing under suicide prevention and self-harm management procedures; and how many times in the same period force was used on such children to replace normal clothing with alternative clothing.

Lord McNally: It is not possible to provide information on the number of children detained in the youth estate who have worn alternative clothing under suicide prevention and self-harm management procedures; or the number of times in the same period, force was used on such children to replace normal clothing with alternative clothing because it would require the manual inspection of each individual’s record, which could only be done at disproportionate cost.
	The safety of young people in custody is our highest priority. Self-harm management in the under-18 secure estate requires coordination between safer custody leads, child protection co-ordinators and wider multi-disciplinary teams, to ensure a young person is kept safe and their risk of self-harm is reduced.

Young Offenders: Illness

Baroness Stern: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children detained in (1) young offender institutions, (2) secure training centres, and (3) secure children's homes, have been diagnosed or received treatment for a terminal or life-threatening illness in the last five years.

Lord McNally: It is not possible to provide information on the number of children detained in the youth estate who have been diagnosed or received treatment for a terminal or life-threatening illness in the last five years. The Youth Justice Board does hold some data for secure training centres but it would require the manual inspection of each individual’s record, which could only be done at disproportionate cost.